New Hong Kong Cardinal Sees Hope in Renewing Vatican-China Ties

Hong Kong Bishop Joseph Zen sees hope in ending the long-standing dispute between the Vatican and China as he was named one of the first 15 new cardinals.

By Audrey Barrick, Christian Post Reporter Thursday, February 23, 2006

Hong Kong Bishop Joseph Zen sees hope in ending the long-standing dispute between the Vatican and China as he was named one of the first 15 new cardinals.

Pope Benedict XVI made the announcement Wednesday, marking the pope's first nominated cardinals since his election last April. Zen said the pope's decision to choose a Chinese cardinal showed he attached great importance to the millions of Catholics in China, according to Agence France Presse.

"This showed that he really values China and I hope we will be able to rebuild the relationship between China and the Vatican," said Zen, head of the 250,000-strong Hong Kong Catholic diocese.

The Vatican, under the pope’s leadership, has made several efforts to recover the tie with China. China severed relations with the Vatican in 1951 after expelling the Vatican's ambassador. After the death of John Paul II, Benedict called for an opening of ties with China among other countries.

Many see the pope’s appointment of the outspoken religious bishop and advocate of religious freedom in China as a gesture of goodwill and a significant step towards recovering the Vatican-China relationship.

"There is speculation that [Zen] will serve as a bridge between the Vatican and Beijing," said Fr Jim Mulroney, deputy editor in chief of the Hong Kong diocesan newspaper.

China has suggested that it will begin diplomatic links with the Vatican if it breaks off ties with Taiwan and promises not to interfere in China's internal affairs. While Zen said such conditions could be met, the lack of religious freedom in China complicates matters.

"Chinese churches are under a special situation," said Zen, according to AFP. "The Chinese government has the control of the churches and is very strict about what freedom they can have. So the situation is not so simple. We must do this step by step."

Zen recently spoke out about the difficulties for Catholic churches to be fully recognized by the Pope under Communist rule.

Catholic churches that are loyal to the pope are not recognized by the government and subject to persecution. While rebuilding ties, the pope hopes to open up greater religious freedom in China where an estimated ten million worshippers are a part of the underground church.

China expert the Rev. Bernardo Cervellera, founder of the Vatican-affiliated news agency Asia News, saw Zen's nomination as an "opportunity" for China to "revise their view on freedom of religion."

The formal installation of the new cardinals will take place on Mar. 24.